Published 10 January 2024 By Junu Gole

Essential Nepal Travel Tips for Solo Female Explorers

Explore Nepal safely as a solo female traveler! Learn and embrace the rich culture while prioritizing your security!

Traveling alone in a foreign country is one of the most adventurous things one can possibly do. Just by themselves, exploring new places, discovering new cultures and traditions, meeting new people, trying unique cuisines, and enjoying themselves to the fullest. It is even more adventurous when it comes to a female traveling alone and having fun. This doesn’t mean females are weaker than males, but there are a few precautions they can take to secure their trips and have more fun.

Nepal, the country where Mother Nature has bestowed all her blessings with natural beauty and people with golden hearts, is one of the most popular and safe countries to solo travel to for both males and females. The major reason why Nepal is safe for females for solo travel is because of its rich cultural and traditional values. Women are seen as a form of god, and there is even a saying in Nepal, “Atithi Deva Bhawa,” which means guests are gods. Nepalese welcome guests wholeheartedly, respect them, and treat them well.

However, there are some precautions that can be taken by solo female travelers for safe and memorable trips.

Pre-Trip Research: Gathering Essential Information

Before you go—not just Nepal but any country—research well about the place. See the places you would like to stay. You should learn a few basic words in Nepali, like 'Namaste', which is a greeting in Nepali; 'Dhanyawaad', which means thank you; ‘Thik Chha', which means it is okay; etc. You should also become familiar with local scams that can happen to you. You can get some advice or suggestions from people who have visited before or someone who knows. You should read reviews and local videos prior to your visit so you can have a vision of what you are going to see and face during your solo travel.

Instinctual Awareness: Trusting Your Gut

Females have very strong intuition and instincts when it comes to dangers around them. Trust your instincts and stay alert. If you find someone shady, you don’t have to be honest and can lie to them. Do not give them all of your information about where you are staying or how many people you are traveling with. Few people may be shady, but not everyone is bad, so do not be rude to people. Be nice to them and treat them properly, but in times of necessity, don’t be afraid to say no and maintain distance with them.

Cultural Sensitivity: Appropriate Dressing and Behavior

When traveling as a solo female traveler in Nepal, always dress appropriately according to the place and time, respecting the local culture. Do not wear short and open clothes when visiting temples, historical sites, or places that carry cultural and religious values to the locals. We suggest you dress like a local in order to blend in and not attract lots of attention. Always carry extra shawls and masks; they may come in handy at any time.

Communication and Safety: Keeping Others Informed

When traveling alone, it is essential that you keep someone close to you updated about your plans and trips. Share your location details and daily plans with that person so that person can know where you are and what you are doing. Make sure you have the local emergency numbers, like 100 for police, 101 for firefighters, 102 for ambulances, 1144 for the tourist police hotline, etc. Also, have a local person on your emergency contact list. It should be someone whom you trust; it may be your hotel or your guide.

Caution in Social Scenarios: Drinking and Dating Awareness

You should be very alert when drinking or intoxicating yourself. Do not overdrink and lose your consciousness. Always drink within your limits, and keep yourself updated and alert about your surroundings. Do not go drink or dine in any shady restaurant that is not available on Google Maps. Choose destinations that are easier to come out of in an emergency. When dating, be cautious about going on a date with strangers. You can use dating apps to meet new people, but be clear about your and their intentions.

Document Safety: Copies and Originals

When traveling, make sure you make copies of your documents and use the copies wherever needed. Keep your original documents, like passports, visas, and ID cards, safe. Do not share your original papers with anyone. It may be wrongly used or even lost. And always carry the documents with you because you may have to get passes to enter places where they ask for your ID proofs.

Group Dynamics: Considering Tours and Guides

Solo travel is not just about exploring and wandering alone. You can always join other travelers for a few tours. There are few treks in Nepal that can't be done alone, so you’ll have to find yourself a group with whom you can travel together and make memories. If you aren’t comfortable in certain places, you can always get yourself a guide. When hiring a guide, make sure you don’t randomly pick them from anywhere. Contact your hotel or travel agencies for guides and drivers.

Self-Defense Readiness: Prioritizing Personal Safety

Learning a few moves to knock someone down is never wrong when traveling alone. It is essential that you take some self-defense classes to save yourself and rescue yourself when needed. Keep yourself physically fit so that you can make an immediate move in times of crisis. Learn karate or a few boxing moves to protect yourself and fight back if someone tries to assault or harm you.

Safety Equipment: Tools for Precaution

You should always be prepared for what is coming your way when traveling alone. Always have a dummy wallet on you so that even if you are pickpocketed, you can have your money and belongings with you. Carry pepper spray for your safety. We suggest you carry a door stopper, a headlamp, and a portable safe with you so that you can use them when necessary and keep yourself safe throughout the trip.

Embracing Adventure: Balancing Caution with Exploration

Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to be scared and overprotective. Feel free to come out of your comfort zone and try new things. Don’t let your fears get in the way of having fun and enjoying your trip. Just take a few precautions, and you are good to travel alone in Nepal and make memories that you are going to cherish for life.

Not everyone you find during your travels is a devil, and not everyone is an angel. Be correct about your instincts, and don’t immediately judge people. Hold your chin straight and travel confidently. Even if something goes wrong, there are always people to help and keep you safe.

Happy Travelling!